Why we need more radiologists in the UK · radiologists. Why are radiologists important to patients...

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A Charity registered with the Charity Commission No. 211540. Always there 1 1 1 2 2 3 Almost all other medical specialties including GPs rely on the report and advice provided by the radiologist to decide on the care pathway. An accurate diagnosis at the right time saves: Lives Patients’ time and worry Costs to the NHS. A radiologist knows the best imaging test that will: Minimise the use of radiation Answer the clinical question. A radiologist is available 24/7/365 to diagnose and advise on: An elderly person with a suspected brain haemorrhage A child with symptoms of meningitis A young victim of a motorcycle accident. The UK healthcare system would not function without the expert advice and guidance of radiologists. Why are radiologists important to patients The need CT and MRI scanning has grown by 10–12% per year for the last ten years and this will continue. The number of radiologists has grown by only 3% per year in that time. The English Cancer Strategy demands, a step change in delivery of diagnostics by the NHS’ by 2020. The shortage In September 2015, over 15,000 patients were waiting more than a month for the results of their CT or MRI scans. In 2014 there were 420 vacancies for consultant radiologists across the UK a 12% vacancy rate. Action is needed now It takes at least five years to train a qualified doctor to become a radiologist. The UK has 48 trained radiologists per million population: Germany has 92, Spain 112 and France 130. We need at least 80 radiologists per million population. Cancers will remain undiagnosed for longer; earlier diagnosis could save the NHS £44 million Stroke assessment and management will be delayed Patients could bleed to death for want of an interventional radiologist Patient and carer anxiety will increase and outcomes will be worse Increasing the radiology workforce is a priority for patients – show your support by tweeting #YesWeScan @RCRadiologists Why we need more radiologists in the UK The Royal College of Radiologists: leading, educating and supporting radiologists across the UK. www.rcr.ac.uk If the Government doesn’t invest in more radiologists …

Transcript of Why we need more radiologists in the UK · radiologists. Why are radiologists important to patients...

Page 1: Why we need more radiologists in the UK · radiologists. Why are radiologists important to patients The need CT and MRI scanning has grown by 10–12% per year for the last ten years

A Charity registered with the Charity Commission No. 211540.

Always there

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Almost all other medical specialties including GPs rely on the report and advice provided by the radiologist to decide on the care pathway.

An accurate diagnosis at the right time saves:

• Lives • Patients’ time and worry • Costs to the NHS.

A radiologist knows the best imaging test that will:

• Minimise the use of radiation • Answer the clinical question.

A radiologist is available 24/7/365 to diagnose and advise on:

• An elderly person with a suspected brain haemorrhage

• A child with symptoms of meningitis

• A young victim of a motorcycle accident.

The UK healthcare system would not function without the expert advice and guidance of radiologists.

Why are radiologists important to patients

The needCT and MRI scanning has grown by 10–12% per year for the last ten years and this will continue. The number of radiologists has grown by only 3% per year in that time. The English Cancer Strategy demands, a step change in delivery of diagnostics by the NHS’ by 2020.

The shortageIn September 2015, over 15,000 patients were waiting more than a month for the results of their CT or MRI scans. In 2014 there were 420 vacancies for consultant radiologists across the UK – a 12% vacancy rate.

Action is needed now It takes at least five years to train a qualified doctor to become a radiologist. The UK has 48 trained radiologists per million population: Germany has 92, Spain 112 and France 130.

We need at least 80 radiologists per million population.

Cancers will remain undiagnosed for longer; earlier diagnosis could save the NHS £44 million

Stroke assessment and management will be delayed

Patients could bleed to death for want of an interventional radiologist

Patient and carer anxiety will increase and outcomes will be worse

Increasing the radiology workforce is a priority for patients – show your support by tweeting #YesWeScan @RCRadiologists

Why we need more radiologists in the UK

The Royal College of Radiologists: leading, educating and supporting radiologists across the UK. www.rcr.ac.uk

If the Government doesn’t invest in more radiologists …